Spencer l



(No Model.)

S. L. DAVIS.

CARD HOLDER AND EXHIBITOR.

N0. 298,354: Patented May 13, 1884.

Wawwwszss:

UNITE SPENCER L. DAVIS, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HENRY TUCKER, OF SAME PLACE.

CARD HOLDER AND EXHIBITOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 298,354, dated May 13, 1884.

Application filo-d August .24, 1883. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SPENCER L. DAVIS, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Minneapolis, in the county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Card and Picture Holders and Exhibitors, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to devices for holding and exhibiting cards, photographs, and analogous articles in upright position.

The invention consists, essentially, in a receptacle or holder for advertising-cards, piotures, photographs, and analogous articles, said holder having on its top face an upwardly-projecting portion, slotted to receive and hold the cards or other articles to be exhib- 2o ited, and with abase having aflat and weighted central portion and curved or rounded sides, by which means, in whatever position the cardholder may be placed, the weighted or loaded bottom will draw the same to and retain it in a perfectly upright position.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of one form of a picture or card holder constructed according to my improvements. Fig. 2 represents a cross-section thereof on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents an end view of another form of holder.

It is the design of my'invention to produce a holder for exhibiting advertising, show,

3 5 and other cards, pictures, and analogous articles, which shall always assume and be maintained in an upright position, however carelessly the holder may be placed upon its support, and however much oscillation it may be 40 subjected to, either by the movement of its support, or by the direct action thereagainst of a persons hand or otherwise. To this end 1 construct the holder A with rounded or curved sides B, and with a flat bottom, 0,

5 which latter is leaded or weighted in any suitable manner, as shown at D, so that the constant tendency of said holder shall be to assume a vertical position, with the weighted bottom resting steadily upon its support, however great an oscillation it may be subjected to. The base of the holder may be, when it is constructed of wood or other soft material, grooved or hollowed out at the central portion of its under side, and suitable heavier materialsuch, for instance, as lead-placed 5 5 therein; but the holder may be formed of any other suitable material than wood, and the bottom thereof weighted in any other suitable or desired manner. By rounding or curving the sides B, whenever the holder is placed down upon or knocked over onto either side,

its tendency will be to roll over, and as the bottom is the heaviest part it will naturally gravitate to an upright position, and thus preserve a vertical position and properly ex- 6 5 hibit the picture, card, or other article therein at all times. Extending upward from the top face of the holder is a projection, F, having a slot or groove, E, therein, Within which the cards, pictures, or other articles to be exhibited are placed. One or more of such slotted projections F may extend upward from the top of the holder, as desired, either at the same or at different elevations, to adapt the same for exhibiting articles in sets, designs, and ornamentally; or slots may be formed within the upper face, in combination with one or more slotted projecting portions, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

I am aware that a patent has been granted for an imitation egg having a weighted lower end and a perforated upper end for the reception of a stem of an ornament, and such I do not claim; but,

Having thus described my invention, what 8 5 I claim as new therein, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A holder or exhibitor for cards, pictures, and analogous articles, having rounded or curved sides and a weighted bottom and an 0 upwardly-extending slotted portion for receiv ing and holding said articles, substantially as set forth.

2. A card or picture holder and exhibitor slotted or grooved in its upper face, and hav- 5 ing an upwardly-extending slotted portion to adapt it to receive and hold the articles to be exhibited, and having rounded sides and a weighted bottom, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. 1o

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

SPENCER L. DAVIS. Witnesses:

HENRY TUCKER, GEORGE ODLUM. 

